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Photo finish
01
a result of a race that competitors are extremely close, requiring photographic evidence to determine the winner
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
singular
not gender specific
Plural form
photo finishes
What is a "photo finish"?
A photo finish is a situation in a race or competition where the result is so close that it is difficult to determine the winner with the naked eye. In such cases, a photograph or high-speed camera is used to capture the exact moment the participants cross the finish line, allowing officials to see who finished first. This technology ensures a fair and accurate determination of the winner when the difference between competitors is too small to judge in real-time. Photo finishes are commonly seen in sports like track and field, horse racing, and swimming.
Examples
The runners crossed the finish line so closely that it required a photo finish to determine the winner.
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